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“What’s her name?” I ask my father again before I leave.

“Who?”

“My sister.”

He clears his throat. “Alaina.”

I don’t wait for anything else before heading toward the door.

I close the door behind me and squeeze my eyes shut for a moment. This whole mess feels like a festering wound in my brain. I should be used to it by now, but I’m not.

When I open my eyes and start down the hallway, the chaos of the end of the party engulfs me. Most of the guests are gone, thankfully, though a few stragglers are near the front doors, waiting for their cars or lingering for one last taste of scandal.

I spot my mother and Charlotte being ushered out by Charlotte’s husband. But she doesn’t see me, and I don’t make my presence known. Better to let Charlotte take care of her tonight – I’m way too on edge and distracted to be of any comfort.

And, let’s face it, she’s known about his other women. She always has. Turning a blind eye is second nature to her. It’s only when her status as Lady Hunt is in jeopardy that she really starts to panic.

Or her children’s status. Especially Alex’s.

When I walk into the kitchen the wait staff hired for the evening are clearing up. Sliding silver trays of canapes into the bin, washing glassware and putting them away. Mike is polishing the silver serving spoons, laying them carefully into a velvet lined box.

“Theo,” Barbara says, putting down the tea towel she’s been using before bustling over to me. “Are you okay?” She touches my cheeks with her palms. I’m so much taller than her she has to reach her arms straight up.

“I’m fine,” I say automatically, even though we both know it’s a lie.

“Georgia and Caleb are in the back room,” she murmurs. “I made them some tea.” She inclines her head at the door that leads to hers and Mike’s private office behind the kitchen.

“Thank you.” I let out a breath. “How is she?”

Barbara presses her lips together. “She looked a bit shaky, but I suppose we all are. Caleb’s looking after her. He’s such a good boy.”

Only Barbara would call a six-four hulk like Caleb a boy. But she’s right, he’s a good friend.

“You should go in and see her,” Barbara tells me.

“I will,” I say, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck. “I need to get some coffee into my father and call our PR person before this whole thing gets any worse.”

“I’ll make the coffee,” she says, touching my hand with hers. “You go in and see your friends. Just for a minute while I get a tray ready.” Her smile is a ghost on her lips. “You need your friends, Theo.”

One of the wait staff’s phone rings. A piped version of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’. It makes me want to laugh but not out of humor.

A merry little fucking Christmas indeed.

“Thank you,” I say. “I will.”

Barbara gives me a brief nod and bustles off, already pulling some mugs out of the cupboard.

In the back room, Georgia is sitting at the small table with a mug wrapped between her hands, Caleb leaning against the counter beside her. She looks up at me, the redness around her eyes making it look like she’s been crying.

“How’s it going?” Caleb asks, pushing himself off the counter. “Have your parents killed each other yet?”

“Not yet,” I say, my eyes not leaving Georgia. “But give them time.”

“My money’s on Penny for what it’s worth,” Caleb says. Then he clears his throat, looking from me to Georgia. “Want me to give you two some space?”

I shake my head. “It’s okay. I can’t stay long.” I let out a breath. “I’m sorry about all this.”

Caleb frowns. “It’s hardly your fault, mate. We all know what your family is like.”